Padding your holiday budget for the unexpected

Despite my best plans, despite the email reminders and spreadsheets and so on, today I had to hit the holiday slush fund. The reason: I had two presents that I didn’t get around to mailing until today.

For those who were unsure, here’s what a facepalm looks like. Think of it as the kinesthetic equivalent of “D’oh!”

Yes, I blew past the USPS shipping deadlines for first class mail. (In my defense, I’m balancing the holiday prep with taking care of an infant who nurses every two hours or so, and that’s blown holes in my errand-running routines.) So I went to Fed Ex today and ponied up for two-day shipping, just to be on the safe side.

It killed me to spend the money. But fortunately, I had it to spend — we always set aside a little for unforeseen situations. Some years, it’s an impulsive gift purchase for someone new. Some years — like this one — it’s a stupidity tax.

Have you ever had a holiday expense that was completely preventable? Or one that was unexpected and sort of irritating? Share your stories of facepalm-inducing outlays at dollarsandsense@sfgate.com.